Scatter Sunshine: Adriatic South: 18 Months in Paradise!!

So this week-I've officially hit 18 MONTHS!!!! But guess what? I've still got a few weeks more so I am savoring every moment to the end! I had to celebrate it with ice cream though :) I also hiked THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CANYON EVER-Rugova canyon! It's near Montenegro so pretty cool!

Culture Shocks of the Week:

1. Cleaning dishes over a toilet......this last week we went and helped this family clean their entire home after months and months of neglect. It was a special moment because it was a member's desire to serve and we had the opportunity to serve with her. I've done a lot of things I never thought I'd ever do but hey-it's an experience I'll never forget :)

2. Usually, we randomly lose power. It's just a thing. You can't live in Albania or Kosovo without losing power and water constantly haha

3. This last week was my LAST mission conference :(

Man time is flying by!! It's scary! But this last week was a special one! We got to go into Tirana because we had Sister's Conference! It was honestly so fun to be with all the sisters from the whole mission. There are only 20 of us-Motra Anderson (our mission mom) gave us each little jars of homemade jam :) She's so cute!! Motra Ahlstrom and I gave a training along with the other 2 sets of Sister Training Leaders. I got to sing with my sweet MTC companion-Motra Jones. We sang "Come Thou Fount". And Motra Jones and I had to give departing testimonies! Dang it!!! Why is this a thing? I never thought that day would come. I literally said, "I've been waiting all my life to be here on my mission....and now it's over." haha we actually got to do valle (Albanian traditional dancing) as well and Motra Hysa led us! It was a wonderful time to be with these sisters. They are INCREDIBLE! I just looked at all of them and said, "I am so pumped for you sisters! The Adriatic South Mission is in good hands." I truly mean that. I am so excited for all of them! They are already bringing about INCREDIBLE miracles here.

This week we have been finding and meeting with a ton of people which has been a miracle! One of the coolest moments of my mission happened on Thursday. We met this lady in the street and went over to her home. Little did we know that she invited her neighbors and we had about 13 people gathered around us in her home. We shared our message and used our object lessons to interact all the kids. It was so special to have so many there gathered. When we finished our lesson, I asked if we could all kneel as my family would kneel and pray together every night. EVERYONE kneeled and I offered a prayer. It was so powerful to be among these people and to pray for them and their families. There is a POWER in prayer!! We truly speak to our Heavenly Father and it was so special to feel of His love. Our Heavenly Father loves us IMMENSELY I don't even know how to begin to express that. All I can say is just pray and ask Him how much He truly does love you. He gives unto all that ask Him with a sincere heart. He loves you!

I just want to share a scripture that has impacted me this last week-in the Book of Mormon Alma 26: 5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

Every day we recite Doctrine and Covenants 4. This scripture in Alma truly impacted me because as I am reaching the end of my mission, I am comforted in knowing that I have been able to do all I can do. I care so much about these people and it's so hard to think about leaving them. However, I am comforted in knowing that they are in HIS HANDS. How powerful is that? Whenever I've messed up, whenever I've struggled or made a mistake, I am reminded that this is HIS work. They are in His hands. All of those that I have come to LOVE are in His hands and there are no better hands than His. I always am reminded to just get back up and keep going, keep improving, keep changing-and through doing so, He has shaped me. He has led me and I am thankful to be an instrument in His hands. I LOVE MY SAVIOR with all of my heart and through loving Him, He has helped me learn to LOVE!! I testify of His divine love. His perfect love! We are in His hands. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

More pics to come! And a bonus video :) haha Motra Ahlstrom and I made it for Sister's conference. We have a mission thing of using NutriBullets.